Every hippie worth his salt fights for a cause, and if sixteen-year-old Kale Oswald wants to call himself a true hippie, he has to do more than look the part. He has to stand for something, so he chooses the local human rights organization… where things don’t go as planned.

Julian Mendez is fresh out of the hospital because he thought swallowing a bottle of pills would be easier than admitting to his mother—and all the kids at school - who he really is and longs to someday live as: a girl named Julia. His medication might stop his body from developing into a man’s, but it won’t make facing his fellow students any easier. Because he plans to move forward with his transition - there was never any other choice.

Sexuality and desire aren’t the only facets of themselves Kale and Julian discover - and struggle with - as they get to know each other through the human rights organization. Some sides of themselves are easier to accept than others, but before they can move on - to friendship and maybe more - they’ll both have to take a hard look at what they want to become.

Excerpts

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Praise for the Book

“I absolutely love this book! I devoured it in one sitting, captivated by the characters even when I didn't necessarily like them. In fact, if I'm honest, I spent a good portion of the book not liking Kale much at all. I think that's kind of the point, though. If all characters started off in a place where we loved them already, there wouldn't be a lot of room for growth and at sixteen, Kale's got a lot of room for growing.” ~ Bobbie (A Page to Turn Reviews)

“Sometimes a book comes along that is so outstanding words fail a reviewer. My Crunchy Life by Mia Kerick is one of those books. […] Through incredibly witty plays on words, humour, and lots of empathy, Mia Kerick has written a book that is not just for young adults, but for parents who truly care about what their children might be struggling with, but are hesitant to discuss with anyone. My Crunchy Life opens doors to allow communication to begin.” ~ Viga Boland

“This coming of age story isn’t incredibly angsty, despite some very serious themes, but it’s a story of growth and I thought it was just right.” ~ Lucy

“This book is perfect for anyone just trying to figure life out. It deals with many issues that children and teenagers face today in school. Bullying plays a large role in this book. This book empowers not only the LGBTQ community but others are facing societies stereotypes and prejudices.” ~ Emily (Infinite Lives, Infinite Stories)

About the Author

Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children -all named after saints - and five nonpedigreed cats - all named after the next best thing to saints, Boston Red Sox players. Her husband of twenty years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about that, as it is a sensitive subject.

Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled men and their relationships, and she believes that sex has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with romantic tales of tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to Dreamspinner Press for providing her with an alternate place to stash her stories.

Mia is proud of her involvement with the Human Rights Campaign and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of marital equality. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.

Giveaway

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